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Quiz about How to Crack a Cryptic Crossword
Quiz about How to Crack a Cryptic Crossword

How to Crack a Cryptic Crossword Quiz


If you've ever looked at a cryptic crossword and wondered how to go about solving it, this quiz is for you. If you're an expert, you may find it too simple. It contains samples of the most common types of clue, and breaks it down into its components.

A multiple-choice quiz by windrush. Estimated time: 8 mins.
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Author
windrush
Time
8 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
406,513
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
142
Question 1 of 10
1. A good cryptic will give a brief definition either at the start or end of the clue, with the cryptic components (the wordplay) supplying the rest. Don't forget the clue is designed to mislead you.

The first type of clue is the ANAGRAM. You will generally get a hint there is an anagram if a word like 'change', 'mix', 'odd' etc., is included.

Listener I mangled is quick to recover (9)

Answer: (Starts with R)
Question 2 of 10
2. There is a 'DOUBLE DEFINITION' clue, in which two fairly straightforward definitions are given for the same answer. You may find yourself wondering if you are right, because in some ways, it isn't cryptic at all. Perhaps a little quirky though.

Here is an example: Good Book for anaesthetists (7)

Answer: (First letter N)
Question 3 of 10
3. Then there is the SANDWICH clue. This will be indicated by a term like 'contains', 'surrounds' or some such. It will generally require you to look for synonyms for the components of the clue.

Excellent performance by Sirius, embracing old length of cloth. (7)

Answer: (Starts with S)
Question 4 of 10
4. How about HOMOPHONES? The indicator for this will be something like 'heard'. Try this one:

Sounds like a trap for a woman. (7)

Answer: (Starts with A)
Question 5 of 10
5. A typical cryptic clue is the TAKEAWAY. It might indicate that the answer (or a component of it) is headless, tailless, or missing a letter. Don't forget that compass directions, left and right, and many other items can be represented by a single letter.

Drawing not begun is of a boat (5)

Answer: (Starts with K)
Question 6 of 10
6. A common cryptic clue is the REVERSAL. At its simplest, it will give you a definition to which you find an answer, then it will say something like 'back', indicating you should reverse the letters to give you the final definition.

Students left in error (4,2)

Answer: (Starts with S)
Question 7 of 10
7. There is usually one or more HIDDEN CLUE in a cryptic crossword. This may not have an indicator of what to look for, but it is usually the simplest type of clue.

The Kalahari Desert is very dry (4)

Answer: (One Word)
Question 8 of 10
8. The RED HERRING can have you looking in entirely the wrong place in a cryptic puzzle.

Large flower found throughout Brazil (6)

Answer: (Starts with A)
Question 9 of 10
9. Cryptics often contain at least one or two of this type of clue. See if you can work it out.

Leading initially, Fiona is running speedily today (5)

Answer: (Ends with T)
Question 10 of 10
10. Here's a cryptic question that is called an ADDITIVE (where you need to add one or more letters) combined with a HOMOPHONE. See what you make of it.

Speak of nothing, say, but an elegant French house (7)

Answer: (One Word, ends with U)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. A good cryptic will give a brief definition either at the start or end of the clue, with the cryptic components (the wordplay) supplying the rest. Don't forget the clue is designed to mislead you. The first type of clue is the ANAGRAM. You will generally get a hint there is an anagram if a word like 'change', 'mix', 'odd' etc., is included. Listener I mangled is quick to recover (9)

Answer: Resilient

The words 'LISTENER I' are anagrammed (mangled) to give the answer, RESILIENT, defined as 'quick to recover'. Keep an eye out for answers that combine an anagram with other components in the more difficult crosswords.
2. There is a 'DOUBLE DEFINITION' clue, in which two fairly straightforward definitions are given for the same answer. You may find yourself wondering if you are right, because in some ways, it isn't cryptic at all. Perhaps a little quirky though. Here is an example: Good Book for anaesthetists (7)

Answer: Numbers

Yep, the book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible, and what better definition for anaesthetists but 'numbers' too?

Usually a double definition will show up as a short terse sentence as in the above example. It may even consist of only two words, such as: opposing communication. Answer: Converse. Each of the two words of the clue define the answer in totally different ways. This type of clue ties in quite neatly with Question 8.
3. Then there is the SANDWICH clue. This will be indicated by a term like 'contains', 'surrounds' or some such. It will generally require you to look for synonyms for the components of the clue. Excellent performance by Sirius, embracing old length of cloth. (7)

Answer: Stellar

Definition - Excellent performance = STELLAR. The wordplay consists of Sirius = a STAR, embracing (surrounding) an old measurement of cloth = ELL.

Rather than tell you something is outside another word, the clue may indicate a filler, such as 'Digger finds apartment in South East' - Answer: SPADE. Digger is the definition, apartment is a PAD, sandwiched inside S E.
4. How about HOMOPHONES? The indicator for this will be something like 'heard'. Try this one: Sounds like a trap for a woman. (7)

Answer: Annette

The definition is a woman's name - ANNETTE, with an indicator for a homophone, 'sounds like' - A NET (being a trap). Indicators for this type of clue include 'reported', 'so to speak', 'say', etc.
5. A typical cryptic clue is the TAKEAWAY. It might indicate that the answer (or a component of it) is headless, tailless, or missing a letter. Don't forget that compass directions, left and right, and many other items can be represented by a single letter. Drawing not begun is of a boat (5)

Answer: Ketch

A drawing is a SKETCH; not begun (or not started) indicates we remove the first letter, giving us a boat, KETCH.

In wordplay, you will often find a single letter indicated by a word, such as the cardinal directions N,E,W,S, an element's symbol (look out for 'copper' - not a policeman or loose change, but indicating CU).
6. A common cryptic clue is the REVERSAL. At its simplest, it will give you a definition to which you find an answer, then it will say something like 'back', indicating you should reverse the letters to give you the final definition. Students left in error (4,2)

Answer: Slip up

'Students' is a definition for PUPILS. Read that from right to left and you have found the new definition, error = SLIP UP. Another indicator could be 'return' or 'rewind'.

In the case of a 'Down' clue in a crossword, a reversal can be indicated by 'rising', 'up' or 'over'.
7. There is usually one or more HIDDEN CLUE in a cryptic crossword. This may not have an indicator of what to look for, but it is usually the simplest type of clue. The Kalahari Desert is very dry (4)

Answer: Arid

The KalahARI Desert, (and, yes, I believe it IS very dry there). Occasionally the word you're looking for is hidden within a single word, but this is not usual. If you don't see an obvious indicator in the clue, look carefully for a possible answer spanning across a couple of words.
8. The RED HERRING can have you looking in entirely the wrong place in a cryptic puzzle. Large flower found throughout Brazil (6)

Answer: Amazon

Yes, the Amazon, not some exotic bloom! With cryptics, a word like "flower" can have you looking through botanical lists, whereas it actually indicates a river. The word 'lower' may indicate a bovine animal, not a downward direction. 'Butter' may mean a goat.

There are many words in the English language with two or more meanings, so if the rest of the clue seems more in keeping with one meaning, it's quite likely the answer lies in a different direction. Misdirection is the name of the game.
9. Cryptics often contain at least one or two of this type of clue. See if you can work it out. Leading initially, Fiona is running speedily today (5)

Answer: First

The answer is 'FIRST'. Definition was 'Leading'. The indicator was the word 'initially'. Take the first letters of the words following the indicator. This type of clue can be applied equally to the last letter OR to the first and last letters. Look for indicators such as 'tops', 'tails' or 'every second'.

This last can apply either to the second letter of every following word OR every other letter, such as tErRoRiSt = ERRS.
10. Here's a cryptic question that is called an ADDITIVE (where you need to add one or more letters) combined with a HOMOPHONE. See what you make of it. Speak of nothing, say, but an elegant French house (7)

Answer: Chateau

CHATEAU is the elegant French house. The wordplay is 'speak' = CHAT, and 'nothing' = O (with the indicator 'say' this becomes EAU).

Sometimes when you are starting out, you will find you can get the answer just from the definition. That's great, but try to take the time to figure out how the wordplay will also get you there - it's much easier when you work from the known answer.
Source: Author windrush

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Fifiona81 before going online.
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